Harry Niebling, 95

Harry W. Niebling, age 95, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Sturgis Hospital.
He was born August 19, 1925 in Erie, PA a son to the late Harry A. and Florence (Rung) Niebling.
On Sept. 21, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Church in Erie, PA he married Rosemary Heberle. She preceded him in death on July 13, 2003. On June 28, 2004 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Pigeon, he married Dorothy (Young-MacDonald) Gazlay.
Harry has resided in Sturgis since 1964, moving here from Erie, PA. He had also lived in Palatine, IL for two years. After retirement, he had wintered in Port Richey, FL until the death of his wife, Rosemary.
He had been employed in retail and wholesale lumber and millwork and began his career at Lyman Felheim Co. in Erie, PA in 1942, while a senior in high school. For several years he represented Farley and Loetscher Mfg., Co., Dubuque, IA and Northern Sash and Door (now NORCO), Hawkins, WI selling millwork. He also was part owner of Direct Lumber, Inc, Burr Oak, prior to joining Central Builders Supplies. In January 1988, he retired from Central Builders Supplies Co. in Sturgis.
Harry enjoyed clowning, cooking, playing cards, (Euchre, Hearts, Bridge, Pinochle) traveling, woodworking, building furniture and four homes, was a handyman after retirement, and did extensive work in genealogy.
He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and has served as a Lector/Commentator, Special Minister of the Eucharist, Altar Server, trained Altar Servers, Religion (Sunday School) Teacher, Past President Holy Angels School Board, Past CCD program coordinator.
Harry was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII as a radioman/gunner in dive bombers and achieved the rate of ARM3C.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Deacon Jerry Mix Council #2508, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Fr. Cornelius Korst General Assembly #500, American Legion Post #73, Catholic War Veterans Post #14 in Alexandria, VA, Tri-State Genealogical Society, Sturgis, MI and Society for Genealogical Research, Erie, PA. Also he was past president of the Sturgis Exchange Club, a member of the Lions Club, BPOE Elks, Sturgis Hospital Popcorn Guild, Knights of Columbus and Junior Chamber of Commerce in Erie, PA.
Surviving are three daughters: Carol Ann Weurding, South Lyon, MI, Nancy Ann (Corky) Mroczkowski of Grand Rapids, and Joanne “Dodie” (Jon) Mieras of Sturgis; a son: Jim (Kim) Niebling of Lake Odessa, MI. 5 grandchildren: Kristen (Weurding) and Jason Phipps, South Lyon, MI, Kerri (Weurding) and Matt Malik of Highland, MI, Nick Mroczkowski and (Sarah) of Chicago, Dr. Megan (Mroczkowski) and Dr. Piro Lito of New York City, Sarah (Webb) Ritchie of Sanford, FL. 12 great-grandchildren: Jack and Jayden Phipps, Anna, Aidan and Austin Malik, Cora and Sam Mroczkowski and Allison, Caitlin, and Emily Ritchie, and Alexandra and Elias Lito. Also survived by wife: Dorothy and her children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters: Sr. Mary Bernard OSB and Sr. Ellen OSB in an automobile accident in 1971, a brother: Rev. Howard Niebling in 1996, wife: Rosemary in 2003, and a son-in-law: Jerry Weurding in 2017.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M., on Sunday at the funeral home.
A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Harry W. Niebling will take place at 11:00 AM, on Monday, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis with full military honors being conferred by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and Capt. John J. Kelley V.F.W. #1355. Cremation will follow the Mass and interment will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery at a later date.
*Mask will be required at the funeral home and church for anybody in attendance due to family health risk*
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations be directed to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 402 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Holy Cross Children’s Services, 8759 Clinton Macon Rd., Clinton, MI 49236.